The Boston Globe is doing a story on the abortion issue and how it is being discussed as the general election approaches. Cardinal Sean O'Malley was asked for comment for this story and offered the following response:
In defending the cause of life, we are not only fulfilling our vocation as Catholics, but we are also defending the vision of democracy that is embodied in the Declaration of Independence that states "We hold these truths to be self evident," namely, that we are all created equal and are endowed by our Creator with certain inalienable rights, the first of which is the right to life. Today, this most fundamental human right is threatened. As the Bishops of the United States have said in our document Living the Gospel of Life: "As we tinker with the beginning, the end, and even the intimate cell structure of life, we tinker with our own identity as a free nation dedicated to the dignity of the human person."
If we ask ourselves what is the leading cause of death in the United States, we usually think of heart disease, cancer and other serious illnesses. Actually the leading cause of death in the United States is abortion. The architects of the pro-abortion movement in the United States thought that within a year or so the opposition would go away or die off. More than thirty years later the issue is still alive because people care about life, and an ever increasing number of young people are making it known that they too are committed to upholding respect for life.
The American people are not in favor of abortion on demand, partial birth abortion, or allowing babies who have survived an abortion to die. If we had the opportunity to vote as a nation there would certainly be limitations imposed on the abortion industry that destroys not just the lives of the babies but also the lives of all involved. A dictatorial court has imposed an unethical decision on our country and divided the American people. We pray for the opportunity to allow the American people to have a voice in such a crucial issue.
As people of compassion we must defend the rights of the most vulnerable. The Church's social teaching is very coherent and extends to all aspects of economic justice, racial equality, war and peace, immigration, education and health care issues. But the centerpiece of our teaching will always be the right to life.
For some time now, the archdiocese has been emailing pastors information regarding "pending stories." This is a great service and answers our long standing complaint that our first notice on many issues came not from chancery but from the morning Globe.
In sharing this with you, we'll all have the opportunity to see, when the Globe story appears, how much and what portions of the Cardinal's comment they choose to print.
-ConcordPastor
In sharing this with you, we'll all have the opportunity to see, when the Globe story appears, how much and what portions of the Cardinal's comment they choose to print.
-ConcordPastor
I do believe that the Cardinal is correct in saying that given the opportunity to vote, the American people would vote for significant limitations to our present abortion laws. I am also pleased by the direct yet gentle tone of his remarks. Many of our bishops have alienated people simply by the judgemental language that they use.
ReplyDeleteWhen he continues his comments on our need, as a people of compassion, to defend the rights of the most vulnerable among us, I think the Cardinal also guides us into a direct consideration the "other" pro-life issues of poverty, war, capital punishement, immigration, health care, education reform, and domestic abuse.
The Globe printed the cardinal's remarks in their entirety. Our bishop's tone is certainly different from that of a number of his fellow bishops. In Michael Paulson's article today I was particularly disgusted with Cardinal Egan's graphic entry in his archdiocesan newspaper. I find it rather hypocritical in view of his recent evening sitting between the two candidates at the Alfred E. Smith annual dinner yucking it up.
ReplyDeleteWhile I'm not sure that photos of children in utero are the most effective method to advance the church's teaching on this matter, I found the photo, in itself, to be sensitive and beautiful.
ReplyDeleteP.S.
ReplyDeleteI, too, had questions about the Al Smith Dinner and the scene with the cardinal and the candidates.
I'll bet that if Senator Obama is elected and subsequently invited to speak at a graduation at a Catholic college in the Archdiocese of New York that the same cardinal will have a less social response than he offered at the banquet.